Coup plot suspects
N600m disbursed for coup plot, ex-Gov Sylva linked to financial trails – Witness tells court
The prosecution on Wednesday opened its case in the accelerated trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government. A key witness alleged before the court that over N600 million was disbursed for the operation and linked former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to financial trails uncovered during investigations.
The prosecution witness, a soldier attached to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), gave detailed testimony on how the alleged coup plot was uncovered and what investigators discovered. His identity was shielded and given as “AAA.”
He told the court he was part of the investigative team constituted after the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General O.O. Oluyede, received intelligence reports alleging that Colonel M.A. Ma’aji and others were plotting to overthrow the government.
Led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness confirmed he knew the six defendants.
According to him, they were arrested in connection with the alleged coup plot involving Col. Ma’aji, other serving military officers, and civilians.
The witness explained that after the intelligence report was received, it was analysed, processed, and found credible, prompting the COAS to order an investigation. Investigators subsequently arrested Col. Ma’aji, recovered his Samsung Galaxy phone, and searched his residence, where a jotter and other items were found.
The jotter contained operational plans, names and designations of ranking members of the current administration, as well as names of officers allegedly marked for assassination during the planned coup. “Inside the jotter, we also found information about political and structural changes that were to be made upon the execution of the coup,” the witness said.
Forensic analysis of Col. Ma’aji’s phone revealed elaborate plans and connections between the colonel, some military officers involved, and the defendants.
“We also found financial trails between Ma’aji, former Governor Timipre Sylva, and some of the defendants here before the court,” the witness stated.
“Also, inside the phone, we found code words known among the plotters, including some of the defendants before this court. Monies were paid to some of the defendants in pursuit of the coup plot.”
The witness also revealed that investigators uncovered a company called Purple Wave, which was allegedly used as a conduit for financing the plot.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) provided the company’s financial records. While being led through Purple Wave’s account statements, the witness identified several transactions allegedly linked to funding the coup: N100 million and N50 million on September 19, 2025; another N100 million and N50 million on September 22; N100 million and N50 million on September 24; N80 million on September 26; N70 million on September 29; N90 million on September 30; and another N90 million on October 2, 2025.
Although the transactions carried explanations for what the funds were supposedly meant for, the witness maintained that investigations revealed they were used in pursuit of the coup plot.
He cited the first N100 million transaction, described as payment for clearing debris along a coastal corridor to Purple Wave, but investigators allegedly found the money was not used for that purpose.
The witness also alleged that several meetings connected to the plot were held at Green Land Apartment and BrookVille Hotel in Abuja, where anti-government rhetoric dominated discussions. “They discussed negative things about the government and concluded that there was the need for a regime change,” he said.
The plotters developed detailed execution plans, identified key government officials to be targeted, and selected officers who would allegedly carry out assassinations.
Targets included the Niger Barracks, where senior military officers reside, while plans were also made to take control of key roads and streets during the coup.
“The plotters also shared appointments among themselves, including agencies to be set up and those to be merged after the coup,” the witness added. “They also did extensive consultation and divination, in which some of the defendants took part, knowing that a coup was ongoing. They received money for these purposes. They also bought vehicles, which were recovered from shops where they were being retrofitted for kinetic purposes.”
Investigators visited some of the hotels and locations where meetings were allegedly held and recovered hotel payment receipts.
The prosecution sought to tender a letter from BrookVille Hotel and attached payment receipts as evidence. Lawyers for the defendants objected to admissibility but indicated they would reserve detailed arguments until the final address stage.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the documents in evidence.
The prosecution also tendered extracts from Col. Ma’aji’s phone, which were equally admitted.
The witness further told the court that the defendants voluntarily made written statements before a special investigative panel, with sessions audio-visually recorded.
They also volunteered written statements before the Military Police, also captured on video. Only the sixth defendant, Abdulkadir Sani, the last person arrested, did not make a statement before the special investigative panel but later did so before the Military Police.
Oyedepo later applied to tender a flash drive containing the audio-visual recordings. Defence counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN) opposed, arguing the device had not been frontloaded as required. Oyedepo conceded, and Justice Abdulmalik directed the prosecution to first serve the defence team with the recordings before they could be played in open court.
Earlier, the prosecution called three bank witnesses: Munahura Anas (Compliance Officer, Jaiz Bank), who tendered account documents linked to Abdulkadir Sani; Taiwo Adeola Wellington (Compliance Officer, SunTrust Bank), who tendered documents for Purple Wave Ltd; and Gideon Elijah (Legal Officer, Providus Bank), who tendered account documents for A & A Express Link. They were cross-examined by defence lawyers.
Justice Abdulmalik adjourned further hearing till May 4 and 5 at 11am, when the fourth prosecution witness is expected to continue his testimony.
About The Author
